Why Linus Tech Tips’ Pirate Box Video Got 2.3m Views & Official PSAs Get Ignored
Updated: 2023-04-30 11:13:09
In recent years numerous campaigns have attempted to scare pirates into submission by linking their habit with malware that suddenly empties their bank accounts. For various reasons these messages are largely ignored yet a Linus Tech Tips video on avoiding cheap, piracy-configured set-top boxes has been viewed 2.3 million times in two weeks. So what's the secret sauce?
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Universities and colleges tend to have strict anti-piracy policies for students. In the United States, this is very much a necessity since its required by law. While most students play by the rules, a worrying trend is developing where outsiders exploit university websites to promote piracy scams.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
When tackling direct infringers becomes impractical, rightsholders can take legal action against entities that are indirectly involved. Intermediaries and service providers are obvious targets but tend to enjoy protection under so-called 'safe harbor' provisions. In Australia, digital platforms want these protections too, claiming they will boost anti-piracy cooperation. Rightsholders believe that cooperation is directly linked to a credible threat of liability.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Some of the world's largest pirate sites, offering movies, TV shows and anime for free, are reportedly operated from Vietnam. The statistics are nothing short of extraordinary and measured in billions of visits per year. Fmovies, Bmovies, Bflix and 9anime are just a few of the sites causing problems for rightsholders. Despite U.S. concerns, Vietnam seems unwilling to pull the plug.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
With more web traffic than Netflix and Disney, pirate streaming site Pobre.tv was hugely popular in Portugal. A few days ago the site mysteriously went offline without any word from its operators. No anti-piracy agency has taken credit either, but ACE says that it obtained several disclosure orders related to the site in recent weeks.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
The consultation stage of Australia's Copyright Enforcement Review has revealed the movie and TV industries' latest anti-piracy demands. The submissions are a rollercoaster ride; site-blocking measures collapsed visits to pirate sites, legal consumption increased significantly, yet 51% of pirates "are not impacted by site blocking at all" so DNS blocking is required.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Danish anti-piracy group Rights Alliance is offering teenagers jobs as panelists in its efforts to better understand the latest piracy trends. Successful candidates will have to commit to several two-hour planned panel sessions, fully paid. Rights Alliance stresses that teens will not be expected to expose their friends or family.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
A draft law that aims to criminalize and prosecute those who "create conditions for online piracy" has been approved by Bulgaria's Council of Ministers. The proposed amendments are Bulgaria's response to heavy criticism from the United States, most publicly via the USTR's Special 301 Reports. It's hoped that prison sentences of up to six years will send a deterrent message.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Mojang is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to wipe browser-based 'clone' Eaglercraft off the Internet. In addition to pursuing hosting services, Discord, and GitHub repositories, Mojang is also asking Google to disappear Eaglercraft from search results. While the original developer appears to have thrown in the towel, for now at least, others show no sign of stopping.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
After informing rightsholders there would be no new legislation to tackle online piracy of live sports, the European Commission said it would come up with a "toolbox" to fight illegal streams - under existing law already dismissed by rightsholders as inadequate. The EC's recommendations have already leaked online and according to reports, rightsholders are very disappointed.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Ripping YouTube streams to MP3 files is something millions of people do every day. Most probably have no idea of the legal battles playing out behind the scenes, including at the High Court in London which declared YouTube ripping illegal in 2021. Those who rely on UK national newspaper The Sun for their cutting-edge legal advice know that the High Court was wrong and YouTube ripping is entirely legal.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
Movie production company Capstone Studios has obtained a DMCA subpoena that requires Internet provider CenturyLink to identify 150 alleged BitTorrent pirates. The targeted IP-addresses are suspected of sharing a copy of the movie "Fall". While the DMCA shortcut is not undisputed, it appears to be rather effective, at least for now.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
When Brazil's Ministry of Justice announced in February that two of the largest anime piracy sites in the country had been "taken down," we suspected there might be more to it than 'just' that. We can now confirm that this wave of 'Operation Anime' was led by anti-piracy group CODA and involved several police operations, plus "knock-and-talks" at pirates' homes. In total, 31 sites were shut down and another five threw in the towel.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
YTMP3.nu has sent a cease and desist notice to Google, urging it to prevent DMCA takedown abuse. The YouTube ripper believes its competitors are sending false and fraudulent takedown claims. To curb this abuse, it's suggested that Google should begin verifying takedown senders. In addition, YTMP3.nu requests a litigation hold in anticipation of future legal action.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.